OSCE: INPUT FOR THE HUMAN DIMENSION CONFERENCE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001742

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2018
TAGS: PHUM OSCE PGOV RS
SUBJECT: OSCE: INPUT FOR THE HUMAN DIMENSION CONFERENCE FOR
RUSSIA

REF: STATE 60838

Classified By: CDA Daniel Russell for reason 1.4(d).


1. (C) Summary: Per reftel request, Post proposes the
following areas of concern for the OSCE Human Dimension
Conference in Warsaw: conduct of elections, xenophobia,
migrant labor, and the treatment of refugees. Framing the
discussion in forward-leaning terms, by taking Medvedev's
call for strengthened democratic institutions and the rule of
law at face value, and expanding the discussion beyond the
Russia-specific, provide the best chance to elicit a
constructive GOR response. End Summary.


2. (C) Democratic Elections: In both the December 2007 State
Duma elections and the March 2008 Presidential elections, we
noted that the Russian government had effectively limited
political pluralism through the use of administrative
resources, biased media coverage (especially in
state-controlled television),and intimidation and
restriction of the political opposition. In December 2007,
restrictions by the GOR led ODIHR to scrap plans to observe
the Duma elections. During the campaign and his initial days
in office, Medvedev has endorsed the importance of political
pluralism and press freedom. Russia can be encouraged to
address concerns raised during the electoral campaign in
future regional and national elections.


3. (C) Xenophobia/Hate Crimes: Russia has experienced an
alarming spike in 2008 in the number of ethnically motivated
attacks in Russia, concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
While law enforcement organs have taken some steps to
prosecute these crimes, the underlying intolerance fueling
these crimes needs to be addressed. We can welcome
Medvedev's public condemnation of xenophobia and the efforts
of Human Rights Ombudsman Lukin to draw attention to the
issue.


4. (C) Migrant Labor: We note that Russia's migration
legislation implemented last year clarified labor laws for
migrant workers, but the GOR needs to improve implementation
and continue efforts to create a comprehensive migration
policy. In particular, the GOR should address issues such as
equal employment, taxation, and access to health care for
migrant workers. Placing the challenge facing Russia in the
broader European and American context and welcoming a
discussion of best practices may be greeted by GOR officials.


5. (C) Treatment of Refugees: We note that the Moscow office
of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported earlier
this year that Russia has opened its refugee status
determination procedure to all who wish to claim the
country's protection and agreed to reconsider previously
rejected cases where applicants continue to assert that they
would face persecution if repatriated. We should welcome
this important step forward.


6. (C) Comment: Russia will react predictably and negatively
to any perceived "name and shame" campaign, portraying
Western criticism as part of the OSCE bias and
"condescension" towards former Soviet republics. The more we
can place the challenges facing Russia in the context of
Medvedev's stated reform agenda, or broaden the focus beyond
Russia, the greater the prospect of a substantive dialogue.
With Russia on the offensive against OSCE "double standards,"
government leaders and the press will trumpet OSCE "bias" to
a domestic audience predisposed to believe they are
distrusted and conspired against by the West.
RUSSELL